The effect of pre-COVID and post-COVID vaccination on long COVID: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Long COVID affects millions of people and results in a substantial decrease in quality of life. Previous primary studies and reviews attempted to study the effect of vaccination against long COVID, but these studies varied in the cut-off time of long COVID. We adhered to the WHO's definition of long COVID and conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of pre-COVID and post-COVID vaccination on long COVID.

Elements Influencing User Engagement in Social Media Posts on Lifestyle Risk Factors: Systematic Review.

Background: The high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and the growing importance of social media have prompted health care professionals (HCPs) to use social media to deliver health information aimed at reducing lifestyle risk factors. Previous studies have acknowledged that the identification of elements that influence user engagement metrics could help HCPs in creating engaging posts toward effective health promotion on social media. Nevertheless, few studies have attempted to comprehensively identify a list of elements in social media posts that could influence user engagement metrics.

Improvement of combined cross-linked enzyme aggregates of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase and maltogenic amylase by functionalization of cross-linker for maltooligosaccharides synthesis.

Combined cross-linked enzyme aggregates of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) and maltogenic amylase (Mag1) from Bacillus lehensis G1 (Combi-CLEAs-CM) were successfully developed to synthesis maltooligosaccharides (MOS). Yet, the poor cross-linking performance between chitosan (cross-linker) and enzymes resulting low activity recovery and catalytic efficiency. In this study, we proposed the functionalization of cross-linkers with the integration of computational analysis to study the influences of different functional group on cross-linkers in combi-CLEAs development.

Amelioration of Functional, Metabolic, and Morphological Deterioration in the Retina following Retinal Detachment by Green Tea Extract.

Retinal detachment (RD) can result in the loss of photoreceptors that cause vision impairment and potential blindness. This study explores the protective effects of the oral administration of green tea extract (GTE) in a rat model of RD. Various doses of GTE or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most active ingredient in green tea catechins, were administered to Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with experimentally induced retinal detachment.

Hydrogel dressings with intrinsic antibiofilm and antioxidative dual functionalities accelerate infected diabetic wound healing.

Chronic wounds are often infected with biofilm bacteria and characterized by high oxidative stress. Current dressings that promote chronic wound healing either require additional processes such as photothermal irradiation or leave behind gross amounts of undesirable residues. We report a dual-functionality hydrogel dressing with intrinsic antibiofilm and antioxidative properties that are synergistic and low-leaching.

Dissociating haptic feedback from physical assistance does not improve motor performance.

In robots for motor rehabilitation and sports training, haptic assistance typically provides both mechanical guidance and task-relevant information. With the natural human tendency to minimise metabolic cost, mechanical guidance may however prevent efficient short term learning and retention. In this work, we explore the effect of providing haptic feedback to the not active hand during a tracking task.

Attenuating Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer through Angiopoietin-Like 4 Inhibition in a 3D Tumor Microenvironment Model.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in metastatic cancer progression, and current research, which relies heavily on 2D monolayer cultures, falls short in recapitulating the complexity of a 3D tumor microenvironment. To address this limitation, a transcriptomic meta-analysis is conducted on diverse cancer types undergoing EMT in 2D and 3D cultures. It is found that mechanotransduction is elevated in 3D cultures and is further intensified during EMT, but not during 2D EMT.

Comparing Half-Dose Photodynamic Therapy with Subthreshold Micropulse Laser for the Treatment of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To compare the anatomic and functional outcomes of half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) and yellow 577-nm subthreshold micropulse laser (SMLT) in treating patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).

Design: Prospective, double-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Participants: Patients with chronic CSCR confirmed by clinical features and multimodal imaging.

Navigating changes: A qualitative study exploring the health-related quality of life of breast cancer survivors during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Aims: To explore the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer survivors.

Design: We utilized a qualitative descriptive approach to facilitate interviews among 25 participants, all of whom are survivors of breast cancer and have received treatment in Hong Kong within the preceding 3 years.

Methods: Content analysis was performed to understand how patients' HRQoL views and experiences changed during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Growth hormone releasing hormone signaling promotes Th17 cell differentiation and autoimmune inflammation.

Dysregulation of Th17 cell differentiation and pathogenicity contributes to multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Previously growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) deficient mice have been reported to be less susceptible to the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Here, we show GHRH-R is an important regulator of Th17 cell differentiation in Th17 cell-mediated ocular and neural inflammation.

Combined cross-linked enzyme aggregates of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase and maltogenic amylase from Bacillus lehensis G1 for maltooligosaccharides synthesis.

Maltooligosaccharides (MOS) are functional oligosaccharides that can be synthesized through enzymatic cascade reaction between cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) and maltogenic amylase (Mag1) from Bacillus lehensis G1. To address the problems of low operational stability and non-reusability of free enzymes, both enzymes were co-immobilized as combined cross-linked enzyme aggregates (Combi-CLEAs-CM) with incorporation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Tween 80 (Combi-CLEAs-CM-add). Combi-CLEAs-CM and Combi-CLEAs-CM-add showed activity recoveries of 54.

Young Adults' Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities' Public Health: A Qualitative Study.

Several physical, psychological, and social health consequences are caused by smartphone users' addiction to games. A location-based game (LBG), Pokémon GO, recently garnered significant attention from young people. This study aims to explore their experiences with this game and motivations for playing, investigating their perspectives on the game's implications for themselves and the public health of their communities.

Understanding the aggregation, consumption, distribution and accumulation of nanoparticles of polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate in Ruditapes philippinarum.

Plastic products have become an integral part of our life. A widespread usage, high stability, uncontrolled disposal and slow degradation of plastics in the environment led to the generation and accumulation of nanoparticles of polymers (NPs) in the marine environment. However, little is known about the aggregation, consumption and distribution of NPs from common polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (NP-PVC) and polymethyl methacrylate (NP-PMMA) inside marine animal physiologies.

Thoughts and experiences regarding leg amputation among patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A phenomenological study.

Despite lower-limb amputation being common among patients with diabetic foot ulcers, few studies have qualitatively investigated the patients' perspectives. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the thoughts and experiences of patients with diabetic foot ulcers regarding lower-limb amputation in Hong Kong. A phenomenological study using individual, semi-structured interviews was conducted with 18 participants with foot ulcers recruited in Hong Kong between July and September 2022.

Heartbreak and Loneliness Due to Family Separations and Limited Visiting during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the healthcare system. In the pediatric unit, stress, uncertainty, and many unexpected challenges for many parents were frequently reported. Research has shown that parents had less contact with their children during the pandemic due to hospital restrictions.

The Complementary Role of PET to Pathology in Differentiating the Primary Origin of a Malignant Skin Nodule from Liver or Lung.

Metastasis from unknown primary is always a challenge because finding the true primary tumor significantly affects subsequent management. We present a case of malignant abdominal wall nodule initially diagnosed as metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma through excisional biopsy and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Dual-tracer positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with C-acetate and F-FDG, however, showed metabolic findings in favor of metastasis from lung origin, which was finally confirmed by ensuing a lung biopsy with additional IHC stains.

Regulatory Experiences with Root Causes and Risk Factors for Nitrosamine Impurities in Pharmaceuticals.

N-Nitrosamines (also referred to as nitrosamines) are a class of substances, many of which are highly potent mutagenic agents which have been classified as probable human carcinogens. Nitrosamine impurities have been a concern within the pharmaceutical industry and by regulatory authorities worldwide since June 2018, when regulators were informed of the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) medicine, valsartan.  Since that time, regulatory authorities have collaborated to share information and knowledge on issues related to nitrosamines with a goal of promoting convergence on technical issues and reducing and mitigating patient exposure to harmful nitrosamine impurities in human drug products.

Duration of Referral-to-Death and its Associated Factors Among Cancer and Noncancer Patients: Retrospective Cohort Study of a Community Palliative Care Setting in Malaysia.

Addressing timely community palliative care integration is prioritized due to the increased burden of noncommunicable diseases. To compare referral-to-death duration among palliative cancer and noncancer patients and to determine its associated factors in a Malaysian community palliative care center. This retrospective cohort study included decedents referred to a Malaysian community palliative care center between January 2017 and December 2019.

Comparing the Rise in Glucose Concentration in Blood, Aqueous and Interstitial Fluid During a Glucose Tolerance Test.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine if aqueous glucose levels rise in a comparable time frame to interstitial fluid and could therefore be suitable for a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) site.

Methods: An intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed on five New Zealand white rabbits. Aqueous humor from the posterior and anterior chamber of the eye and venous blood were sampled for glucose concentration measurement.

Microbial Dysregulation of the Gut-Lung Axis in Bronchiectasis.

Emerging data support the existence of a microbial "gut-lung" axis that remains unexplored in bronchiectasis. Prospective and concurrent sampling of gut (stool) and lung (sputum) was performed in a cohort of  = 57 individuals with bronchiectasis and subjected to bacteriome (16S rRNA) and mycobiome (18S Internal Transcribed Spacer) sequencing (total, 228 microbiomes). Shotgun metagenomics was performed in a subset ( = 15; 30 microbiomes).

Untargeted metabolomic analysis of aqueous humor in diabetic macular edema.

Background: The mechanism of diabetic macular edema (DME) was explored by comparing the intraocular metabolite profiles of the aqueous humor of patients with DME to those of diabetic patients without DME using untargeted metabolomic analysis.

Methods: Aqueous samples from 18 type 2 diabetic patients with DME and 18 type 2 diabetic patients without DME used as controls were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS). The two groups of patients were age and gender matched and had no systemic diseases other than diabetes mellitus (DM).